Tape dispenser



March 1, 1949. p, VAN CLEEF TAPE DISPENSER Filed Dec. 22, 1945 INVENTOR -ZflzzZ C [3 9 Patented Mar. 1, 1949 TAPE DISPENSER Paul Van Cleef, Chicago, Ill., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Johns-Manville Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 22, 1945, Serial No. 636,749

2 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to tape dispensers. More particularly the invention relates to that type of dispenser which is expressly designed and adapted for use in handling a roll of tape of the variety that has an inner coating of permanently tacky or so-called pressure sensitive adhesive, and as its principal components comprises: (1) a frame embodying a pair of parallel laterally spaced sides together with means for rotatably supporting the roll of tape between the sides; and (2) a platform which is located or positioned adjacent the sides of the frame and in alignment with the space between the frame sides and has adjacent its outer margin a cutting edge for cutting the tape into lengths as it is unwound from the roll.

When it is desired in connection with use of a tape dispenser of this type to sever a length of tape from the roll the free or outer end of the tape is pulled outwards a distance corresponding to the length of tape that is desired and then the inner end of the pulled length is brought into adhesively connected relation with the platform and is severed by way of the cutting edge adjacent the outer margin of the platform. When it is again desired to cut a length of tape from the roll the outer end of the tape is removed from the platform and then pulled outwards, the last mentioned operation being followed by the steps or operations heretofore described. As evidenced by United States Patent No. 2,221,213 it has heretofore been proposed in connection with a tape dispenser of the type under consideration to position thevplatform an appreciable distance from the sides of the frame in order to provide between the platform and the frame sides a free space whereby in connection with severing a length of tape from the roll the outer end of the tape may be gripped by the fingers preparatory to being removed from the platform. When the platform is disposed an appreciable distance from the sides of the frame so as to provide a free space whereby the outer end of the tape may be gripped by the fingers the dispenser as a whole is bulky and hence occupies a considerable amount of space.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide. a tape dispenser of the type under consideration which is an improvement upon, and less bulky than, previously designed dispensers of the same general character and is characterized by the fact that the platform thereof is located in extremely close proximity to the sides of the frame and has associated with it simple and novel means for stripping the free or outer end-of the tape from the platform when it is desired to severa length of the tape fromthe roll.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tape dispenser of the last mentioned typeand character in which the means for stripping the free or outer end of the tape from the platform is in the form of a U-shaped stripper-member which has the free ends of the-side pieces thereof so pivotally mounted that it is capable of swinging back and forth between a down position wherein its crosspiece rests on the platform and an up position wherein the crosspiece is disposed above the platform, and is adapted when swung into its up position to strip the free end of the tape from the platform so that it maybe readily grasped when it is desired again to sever a length'of tape from the roll between the sides of the dispenser frame.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tape dispenser of the aforementioned character in which the platform extends between, and :is connected to certain opposite marginal portions of, the sides of the frame and the side pieces of the U-shaped stripper-member are positioned in lapped relation with the frame sides and have the free ends thereof pivotally connected to the frame sides.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a tape dispenser which is generally of new and improved construction and is additionally characterized by the fact that it is capable of being manufactured at a low and reasonable cost and effectively and efficiently fulfills its intended purpose.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present tape dispenser will be apparent from a consideration of the following detaileddescription.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawing whichaccompanies and forms a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tape dispenser embodying the invention, the U-shaped stripper-member of the dispenser being shown in its down position wherein the cross-piece thereof rests on, and extends transversely across, the platform;

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the dispenser illustrating in detail the-construction, arrangement and manner of mounting of the U -shaped stripper-member and showing the stripper-member in its up position wherein the cross-piece thereof serves to hold the outer or free end of the tape in spaced or disconnected relation with respect to the platform; and

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

The dispenser which is shown in the drawing constitutes the preferred form or embodiment of the invention. It is expressly designed and adapted for use in dispensing or handling a roll of tape 4 and as its essential component parts comprises a frame 5, a platform 6 and a stripper-member 1. The tape 4 is wound on a, ring shaped core 8 and is of that type or variety that has on its inner surface a coating of permanently tacky pressure sensitive adhesive.

The frame serves to house and also rotatably to support the roll of tape and comprises a pair of parallel laterally spaced sides 9 and a bottom ID. The sides are substantially square so far as contour is concerned and are positioned on opposite sides of the roll of tape. The free marginal portions of the sides are doubled back upon themselves in order to form reenforcing beads II. The central portions of the sides of the frame are provided with circular holes 2. The portions of the sides that define these holes are deflected inwards to form a pair of coaxial annular flanges l3 which fit loosely within the ends of the core 8 and serve rotatably to support the roll of tape with respect to the frame 5. The bottom II] is connected to, and extends between, the bottom margins of the sides 9 and serves to maintain the sides in spaced apart relation. The width of the bottom it is slightly greater than the width of the tape 4. Preferably the frame 5 is in the form of a sheet metal stamping. In mounting the roll of tape with respect to the frame the sides 9 are first distorted outwards so as to space apart the annular flanges I3 a distance slightly greater than the width of the tape. Thereafter the roll of tape is inserted between the sides and is manipulated into a position wherein the core 8 is in registry with the flanges 13. After the roll is so positioned the sides are released so that they spring back into their normal position and result in the flanges [3 being brought into inserted relation with respect to the ends of the core.

The platform 6 is located adjacent and extends between the front upper corners of the sides 9 of the frame 5. It is preferably flat and has the side margins thereof connected to, and formed integrally with, the adjacent portions of the upper margins of the frame sides. The front or outer end of the platform is bent upwards to a slight extent as shown in Figure 2 and is shaped to form a cutting edge M for severing the tape 4 into lengths or strips. When it is desired to sever a length of tape from the roll the free or outer end of the tape is pulled outwards a distance corresponding to the length of tape that is desired and then the inner end of the pulled length is brought into adhesively connected relation with the platform and is severed by way of the cutting edge [4. severing or cutting of the length is effected by exertin downward pressure on the length so as to cause the edge M to cut through the inner end of the length. If desired the cutting edge M may be in the form of a rectilinear series of V-shaped teeth.

The stripper-member 1 serves as a medium or instrumentality for stripping the outer or free end of the tape from the platform 6 in order that it may be readily grasped in connection with severing another length of the tape from the roll. It is formed of a length or piece of round wire which is bent so that it is U-shaped and consists of a pair of parallel laterally spaced side pieces l5 and an intermediate crosspiece 16. The side pieces l5 are of equal length as shown in the drawing and are arranged in lapped relation with the upper marginal portions of the sides 9 of the frame 5. The free ends of the side pieces i5 are bent inwards at right angles to form a pair of coaxial trunnions H. The latter project into, and are journalled in, a pair of aligned circular holes 18 in the central portions of the upper margins of the frame sides 9 and serve to support the stripper-member 1 so that it is free to swing back and forth between a down position wherein the crosspiece it rests on, and extends transversely across, the central portion of the platform 6 (see Figure 1) and an up position wherein the crosspiece is disposed above the platform as shown in Figures 2 and 3. It is contemplated that normally the stripper-member will remain in its down position. When it is desired to strip the outer or free end of the tape from the platform preparatory to severing a length of tape from the roll the stripper-member l is swung upwards and rearwards into its up position. In connection with such swinging movement of the stripper-member the free end of the tape is swung or shifted out of adhesively connected relation with the platform and assumes a position wherein it may be readily grasped in connection with pullin of the tape from the roll. When in connection with a tape severing operation the free end of the tape is pulled from the roll after it is freed from the platform 6 by the stripper-member l the crosspiece of the stripper-member is automatically disengaged from the tape and swings forwards and downwards into its normal down position wherein the crosspiece rests on the central portion of the platform. Either the foregoing occurs or the stripper-member is swung downwards into its down position when the tape is brought into adhesively connected relation with the platform in connection with the next tape severing or tearing operation. By reason of the fact that the platform is connected directly to the sides of the frame and has associated with it the stripper-member l the dispenser as a whole is compact and hence occupies but a small amount of space.

The herein described tape dispenser is capable of being manufactured at a low and reasonable cost and effectively and efiiciently fulfills its intended purpose by reason of the fact that it includes the pivoted U-shaped stripper-member I for stripping the outer or free end of the tape from the platform 6.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device for use in dispensing a roll of tape of the type that has an inner coating of permanently tacky pressure sensitive adhesive, and embodying a pair of laterally spaced, substantially square, upstanding sides together with means for rotatably supporting the roll between the sides, a substantially horizontal platform, extending between, and connected to, the front portions of the upper margins of the frame sides, having a tape cutting edge adjacent its outer margin and adapted when a length of tape is pulled from the roll preparatory to severing it by the cutting edge to have the inner end of the length brought into adhesively connected relation with it, the central portions of said upper margins of the frame sides having a pair of aligned holes therein, and a U-shaped stripper member formed of round wire and having the free ends of its side piece bent laterally to form a pair of trunnions, said trunnions extending through the aforesaid holes and serving so pivotally to support the stripper-member that it is capable of being swung back and forth between a down position wherein its crosspiece rests on the platform and an up position wherein said crosspiece is disposed above the platform, said stripper-member being adapted when swung into its up position after severing of the length to strip the free end of the tape from the platform.

2. A device adapted for use in dispensing a roll of tape of the type that has an inner coating of permanently tacky pressure sensitive adhesive, and comprising a frame embodying a pair of laterally spaced, substantially square, upstanding sides together with means for rotatably supporting the roll between the sides, a substantially horizontal platform extending between, and connected to, the front portions of the upper margins of the frame sides, having a cutting edge adjacent its outer margin and adapted when a length of tape is pulled from the roll preparatory to severing it to have the inner end of the length brought into adhesively connected relation with it, the central portions of said upper margins of the frame sides having a pair of circular holes therein, and a U-shaped stripper-member formed of round wire and having the free ends of its side pieces positioned in lapped relation with said central portions of the upper margins of the frame sides and bent laterally inwards to form a pair of trunnions, said trunnions extending inwards through the aforesaid holes and serving so pivotally to support the stripper-member that it is capable of swinging back and forth between a down position wherein its crosspiece rests on the platform and an up position wherein said crosspiece is disposed above the platform, said stripper-member being adapted when swung into its up position after severing of the length to strip the free end of the tape from the element.

PAUL VAN CLEEF.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,221,213 Borden Nov. 12, 1940 2,264,425 Witter Dec. 2, 1941 2,310,522 Gorbatenko Feb. 9, 1943 

